Nigerian Entrepreneur Ebiere Joseph Akunwa named mong 100 Most Influential Women in South Africa

Ebiere Joseph Akunwa, a trailblazing Nigerian entrepreneur and former marketing executive at Kick-Off magazine, has been recognized among the 100 most influential women in South Africa for 2024. Akunwa, who pivoted from media to the culinary world, is the founder of Taste Full Plate in Cape Town, a thriving business that has become a household name for destination weddings and major food events.

Akunwa was honored at the prestigious Influential Women and Artes Awards (IWAA) 2024, held at Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, for her contributions to the community through her innovative and selfless work. Her restaurant has featured in prominent events like the International Food Evening at the University of Stellenbosch and has catered to high-profile clients in the sports and film industries, including cyclists at the Cape Town and Franschhoek Cycle Tours.

In her acceptance speech, Akunwa shared her inspiration: “I ventured into the hospitality industry with Nigerian food, driven by the belief that food can be a powerful tool for cultural influence, just as the Chinese have demonstrated globally.”

Ebiere holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations Management from Cape Peninsula University of Technology and enjoys family life with her husband, Joseph, and daughters, Odein and Virtue.